CHAPTER 176: FALL OF A TOWER

After sleeping for the night I finally woke up, taking one last look at the destroyed city around me. This was finally the end of my climb in this tower.

The fall of the tower was finally here, no need for me to linger around here any longer than I need to. I’ve kept the girls waiting for so long and I don’t think I want to be by myself anymore.

You have me again, don’t forget about that.

You’re right. It has just been awhile since I heard you talk to me like this, just takes some getting used to again. It’ll be like normal in no time.

I’m just happy that I’ll finally be out of this damn tower after all this time. It felt like I was in here forever.

I’ll also need to make a stop in Nyxhaven along the way to let Lucien know that I completed everything. The tower is destroyed and there wasn’t really much to gain from it.

This should also prevent a lot of hunters deaths from occuring as well.

I just did him a big favor without him even realizing it. Clearing this tower wouldn’t be easy for anyone else to do... I just got lucky enough to gain the power to complete it.

Power that I’m still struggling with.

That power is definitely something interesting. I can feel it myself now that I’m back with you again.

I didn’t know you were dealing with this as well while I was away from everything. I’m sorry that you had to handle all of this on your own Rokuro.

I’ll make sure you aren’t left alone again...

I appreciate it Reika. It doesn’t change anything but it definitely does mean a lot to me. You guys really do make a difference.

That was the last thought I had for the moment before finally leaving the tower. Upon exiting through the door I found myself back at the front of the tower as it starts to collapse.

Crash!! Crumble!!!!! Shake!!!! Crumble!!!! Pieces of the tower start to fall all around me as I look up at it for a moment.

Taking in the sight one more time before I finally make my way to Nyxhaven. The city inside was really interesting so I hope that it’ll go to another tower or something.

There also didn’t seem to be any hunters around me now, clearly they didn’t enter the tower or died inside already.

Tap. Tap. I could feel someone tapping on my shoulder from behind, not something I really expect after exiting the tower. Without any worry, I turn around and find myself face to face with Lucien.

"I decided to come see it for myself, especially after I’m told that it is falling apart now." Lucien says with a bit of a shock on his face.

"I’d say we got lucky. A tower falling apart like this feels like good news to me." I reply with a casual tone.

"Why would you say that?" Lucien questions with a curious tone.

"Towers mean more problems, more problems mean dead hunters. I don’t think we want more people to die." I answer with a serious tone.

Hunters don’t need to die meaningless deaths just to satisfy the request of a guild. Towers aren’t worth dying in, even if the reward is huge like that.

I don’t remember the exact reward anymore since a lot of time has passed since I first entered the tower. I just remember that it was a pretty big one and that my goal was to keep other hunters alive.

I’m surprised I even care about anyone with the way things went inside there.

My mind is scattered all over the place after everything I dealt with inside but maybe that isn’t a bad thing. This could be beneficial in a lot of different ways for all I know.

"Regardless I’m glad that the tower has been dealt with. Rumors of other towers have been spreading like wildfire." Lucien says while crossing his arms.

Can’t say that it is surprising since you knew that would be the case. Multiple towers across the world with no person capable of beating them like you just did.

They also vary in strength as well.

"That just means we’ll have to deal with them in time too. Maybe see if we can get some higher ranking hunters to help out with it." I reply with the same serious tone.

"I think it is good I ran into you. I was planning on doing exactly that, would you mind coming to Nyxhaven with me?" Lucien asks with a smile.

"Not at all. It isn’t a bad stop to make before heading home anyway." I respond with a genuine tone.

Heading back with Lucien isn’t really a bad idea anyway since I can avoid a lot of annoying problems along the way. It could’ve been faster if I didn’t run into him originally but this is fine.

"Also meant to ask about the scales, wings, and even the horns... Hell you have a whole new appearance since I last saw you." Lucien says before scratching his head.

I didn’t have this outfit originally, did I? I’m not really sure if I’m being honest. My last outfit wasn’t a bad looking one but it definitely wasn’t this nice.

The tower did help me gain a lot of different things over a bit of time. Some of which was this outfit and even some more power.

Just I made the mistake of keeping everything out like this. I forgot to hide everything before exiting the tower so I’m not sure I have a way to explain this.

"It is part of my talents. Purely just strength boosts and some defense boosts. I’m quite lucky to have it." I respond with a smirk.

We’ll see if he buys any of this crap.

I’m sure it’ll work since it isn’t really that far off in the first place. It is a pretty valid excuse in my opinion.

"First time I’ve seen it, but anything is possible in this world nowadays. The families up in Elyndra are all full of mysteries too, I’m sure they have similar secrets." Lucien says with a bit of disbelief in his voice at first.

"They definitely have some secrets up there. I don’t know what exactly, but you’re right." I reply in agreement.

"Well, let’s get going." Lucien says as he begins to walk.

I follow behind him as we start to make our way back towards Nyxhaven. He didn’t once mention the amount of time that has passed since I entered the tower.

It made me wonder about how much time truly passed while I was in there. Something I doubt anyone would really tell me in the first place.

About an hour into the walk I couldn’t help but think about how long anyone thought I was in there.

It felt like months to me with each set of floors I passed through. Maybe... Just maybe it wasn’t that long out here after all. I just don’t know for sure.

Time itself is a complicated thing to look into so maybe it is best to just let everything play out. The girls will probably be able to fill me in on everything that happened while I work as away in the tower.

"I’m just surprised you are by yourself. Usually you have some girls with you or something, not that I mind the peace and quiet." Lucien speaks up.

"It was just easier to do some scouting without them so I didn’t risk any of their lives." I respond with a calm tone.

If I can avoid risking their lives, I’ll always go with that option. I don’t want them to be in danger if I can avoid it... After that fight with the angel, I learned that I can’t let it happen.

It taught me that I don’t want anyone to get hurt like that. Ghost almost died right in front of me...

"A good friend. Everyone needs someone like you in their lives. Another reason to like you kid." Lucien says with a kind tone.

"I guess I was just raised right or something." I reply.

The remainder of the walk went by without much conversation since it was just exhausting for both of us. Originally I thought the tower wasn’t that far from Nyxhaven but maybe something happened while I was inside.

Probably while I was resting or dealing with stuff in the abyss. Regardless it doesn’t really matter anymore.

At least that tower is done and over with, but my body is definitely exhausted. Everything was catching up to me. Nyxhaven was finally within my sight, what a relief.

"At least we made it back without any problems. It is a real pain in the ass to deal with random hunters. Well, the ones who refuse to do any good in this world of ours." Lucien says while stretching.

"I’m glad we didn’t have any fights as well." I reply with a bit of relief in my voice.